Ontario Wildflowers website

Large Yellow Lady's Slipper
Cypripedium parviflorum var pubescens

Other common names: Larger Yellow Lady's Slipper

Other scientific names: Cypripedium furcatum, Cypripedium pubescens

Family: Orchid Family (Orchidaceae)

Group: Orchids, Lady's Slippers

Distinctive features: Lady's Slipper flower form, bright yellow.

Similar species:
  •   Small Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var makasin) - Smaller; purplish petals behind the "slipper".

  •   Small White Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium candidum) - Small, white flowers; greenish petals.

  •   Hybrid Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum X C. candidum) - Small, white flowers; purplish petals.


Flowers: Summer;  Yellow;  Irregular flowers;  Bright yellow, pouch shape. Petals (behind the "slipper") are green (Small Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var makasin) has reddish petals). Late spring - early summer.

Height: 20-45 cm (8-18 in)

Habitat: Forests, Fields and Open Areas, Wet Areas;  Moist woods, bogs.

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 38    Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 104    ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario: 90   

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Uncommon, but common compared to other Lady's Slipper orchids. But in some places it is extremely common.

Notes: There are two varieties of this orchid: Large Yellow Lady's Slipper and Small Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var makasin). When you find this orchid, do not disturb it. DO NOT transplant it - it will likely not survive.

Photographs: 528 photographs available, of which 5 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Large Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var pubescens)

Large Yellow Lady's Slipper. The petals are green and the flower is bigger. This variety grows in woods.

Large Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var pubescens)

Large Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var pubescens)

A group of Large Yellow Lady's Slipper in the woods in mid-June.

Large Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var pubescens)

Flower just starting to open.

Large Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var pubescens)

Seed capsule from previous year. This photo was taken in January. (I don't know which variety of Yellow Lady's Slipper this is, but they both look the same at this time of year!).